DM Rates: Watching inflation expectations
Inflation expectations.
Group Research - Econs, Eugene Leow29 Apr 2026
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Longer-term inflation expectations are starting to climb. The Middle East conflict was initially assumed to be a short affair with energy flows from the gulf already resuming by now. However, the US-Iran stalemate has since pushed Brent crude back above USD 110 / bbl, triggering a wave of unease after the general risk-on sentiment over the past few weeks. Central banks can be reasonably assumed to prefer looking through and oil spike if price gains are narrow (March inflation prints generally reflect high energy prices but limited passthrough to other goods) and longer-term inflation expectations get anchored. However, both points are likely to be questioned in the coming months. Notably, 10Y breakevens across the DM space are starting to rise more meaningfully. This echoes the survey-based measures in the Eurozone where participants expect a jump in 3Y expectations to 3.0% (2.5% previously). We also note that the BOJ has turned incrementally hawkish, with three out of nine voting members dissenting from the rate hold. Higher rates in the back end of DM curves look likely. This phenomenon could be more pronounced if central banks opt to keep frontend rates low.



Eugene Leow

Senior Rates Strategist - G3 & Asia
[email protected]



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